Team Member Profile: Meet Ana Correa

IL IMAGINES CHICAGO 

TEAM MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Team member name:
Ana M. Correa

Position:  
Advocacy Manager

Agency/Program:
Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center

Member since: 2016

Member Bio:

Ana received her master’s degree from University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.   Ana has 15 years of experience working directly with victims of child sexual abuse.  Ana currently manages the Advocacy Team at the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center. Ana continues to seek out evidence based interventions as well as collaboration from complex systems to support children and families.

Quote: “No one can’t hurt you without your consent” Eleanor Roosevelt

Why I joined IL Imagines.

I was invited by Linda Sandman to become a member of the Chicago Team.  I am interested in learning and collaborating with experts in the field, so I can better service our clients.  The Chicago IL Imagine Team is a venue to ongoing assesses what’s best practice to support children and adults with disabilities.

Fun Fact:

Watching cooking shows is a fun way to distress from trauma work!

Team Member Spotlight: LInda Sandman

IL Imagines Team Member Spotlight

Linda Sandman

Team member name: 

Linda Sandman

Position:  

Director of Clinical Services, Clinical Assistant Professor

Agency/Program: 

UIC Developmental Disabilities Family Clinics

Member since: 2012

Member Bio:  

Linda Sandman is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Institute on Disability and Human Development (IDHD) at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Linda has over 25 years of clinical experience working with adults with disabilities, including mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD). She is the Director of Clinical Services for the Developmental Disabilities Family Clinics, which provides comprehensive diagnostic and clinical services for children through adults with ID/DD. In addition, Linda is a founding member of the Sexuality and Disability Consortium at IDHD and is an active member of Illinois Imagines Chicago, as well as the state-wide Planning Team and Public Policy committee for Illinois Imagines.

Quote:  

“Why go chasing distant fancies? The good is ever near! Learn to grasp your chances! Happiness is always here.” – Goethe

Why I joined IL Imagines. 

As a therapist at the UIC Family Clinics, I met many people with developmental disabilities who had experienced sexual violence and I began working to address this issue. I was so excited to find out about Illinois Imagines. I love the collaboration – bringing together people with disabilities, disability service providers, allies and rape crisis center professionals. It is making change happen!

Fun Fact:  

I love to make jewelry, especially earrings. It’s fun, wearable art!

Featured Team Agency Profile: CHS

IL IMAGINES CHICAGO

TEAM AGENCY SPOTLIGHT

Agency/Program name:

Chicago Hearing Society, a division of Anixter Center

2001 N. Clybourn Ave.  Suite 200

Chicago, Illinois 60614

Office: (773) 248-9121

Web: www.chicagohearingsociety.org

Facebook: facebook.com/ChicagoHearingSociety

Twitter: ChgoHearingSociety

Agency overview:

Chicago Hearing Society (CHS) empowers Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Hearing people to communicate and collaborate by providing an array of social services, advocacy, support programs and assistive technology products to Deaf and Hard of Hearing people.

Agency/Program Mission:

Since 1916, CHS has offered programs and services that improve the lives of deaf and hard of hearing individuals by empowering them to connect with the world around them.

Range of services:

Hearing Health Clinic and hearing aids, Sign Language Interpreter and Translator Services, Free Amplified Telephones, Information and Referral, Video Remote Interpreting (VRI), Captioning, Parent Support, Hearing Aid Bank, Tinnitus Program, Youth Program, Victim Assistance, Domestic Violence Counseling, Income Tax Return Preparation, Deaf Community Calendar of Events (Deaf Line)

Specialties:

Our staff is fluent in American Sign Language and Spanish

Disability accessible:

CHS is 100% Disability accessible.

Team Member Spotlight: Meet Co-Chair Jae Jin :)

IL Imagines Chicago Team Member Spotlight

Team member name: Jae Jin Pak; Self Advocate

Position:  Co-Chair for 2015-2017

Member since: 2009

Member Bio:  

Jae Jin Pak is a social justice advocate, educator, and ally.  For over 20 years, he has worked on issues of mental health, ending men’s violence against women, disability, anti-oppression and cultural competency.  He has presented for high school & college students, teachers, law enforcement, medical staff, faith leaders, social service providers & community members.  

He has served on the Board of Directors of the Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative (AASPI), Asian Giving Circle, the IL Imagines Chicago Team, IL Caucus for Adolescent Health (ICAH), Korean American Community Services (KACS), IL Coalition Against Domestic Violence MEN Committee and IL Coalition Against Sexual Assault Education & Training Committee.  He is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Quote:

"All that is necessary for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing."

Edmund Burke

Why I joined IL Imagines.

I wanted to connect with my “disability” identity.   I learned of the lack of outreach to the disability community about men’s violence against women’s issues.  Being a person with a disability, I realized I could be a voice and bridge to educate, advocate and ally to my disability community.  I want to help.

Fun Fact:  

I’m a geek who loves my gadgets, gizmos and a long time Doctor Who fan. Life is timey whimey. :)

Team Member Spotlight: Say hello to our intern Julie :)

IL Imagines Chicago Team Member Profile

Team member name: Julie Parikh

Position:  Intern

Agency/Program: YWCA

Member since: December 2015

Member Bio:

I am 22 years old and I am from Plainfield, IL. I am currently finishing my undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago. I will be graduating with a B.A. in Applied Psychology with a minor in Criminology, Law, and Justice. I am a Resident Assistant at UIC and enjoy creating social programs for my residents. My goal is to attain a Masters in Social Work and to continue advocacy work in Chicago.

Quote:

"Be the change that you wish to see in the world"

Why I joined IL Imagines.

My goal is to work to promote future changes in the system to help those that may not be able to advocate for themselves. I stand by IL Imagines message that advocates can not only just help survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault, but can make a lasting change in our community.

Fun Fact:

My favorite color is purple.

Featured Team Agency Profile: Metro YWCA

IL IMAGINES CHICAGO

TEAM AGENCY SPOTLIGHT

Agency/Program name: 

YWCA Metropolitan Chicago/Sexual Violence Support Services

820 W Jackson, Ste 550

Chicago IL 60607 

Office: 312.229.7259 

24hr Rape Crisis Hotline: 888.293.2080

Web: www.ywcachicago.org 

Facebook: facebook.com/ywcachicago

Twitter:  twitter.com/ywcachicago

Agency overview:

YWCA Metropolitan Chicago is committed to providing women with the support and tools needed to transform their lives, be confident in their choices and make valuable contributions to their communities.

Agency/Program Mission:

YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.

Range of services: 

Sexual Violence Support Services:

Counseling, Medical and Legal Advocacy, Prevention Education, Rape Crisis Hotlines

Specialties:   

Rape Crisis Services 

Disability accessible:

All Facilities are accessible.

Meet our Senior Co-Chair Anacany Barrera:)

IL Imagines Chicago Team Member Spotlight

Team member name: Anacany Barrera         

Position:  Coordinator, Crisis Line and Volunteer Services

Agency/Program: YWCA Metropolitan Chicago Sexual Violence Support Services

Member since: 2013

Member Bio: 

Anacany received her undergraduate degree in History from Utah Valley University.  Anacany brings six years of experience working directly with underserved members of the community through Head Start.  Anacany spent three years as the Bilingual Prevention Educator for the YWCA Sexual Violence and Support Services. Anacany is on mission to innovate how we provide services on the Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline and expand our volunteer program.

Quote: 

“There is no agony like an untold story inside of you.” 

Maya Angelou  

Why I joined IL Imagines.  

I was invited to attend the Chicago Team meeting when I started working at the YWCA and that is all it took.  I am very interested in working with underserved populations and IL Imagines is a perfect way for me to get involved. 

Fun Fact:  

I am a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America, Chicago Chapter and a mom to an adorable pup.